U.S. corn production nearly tripled between 1950 and 1979 in response to increased world demand. Corn is the largest grain crop in the United States, and U.S. corn accounts for 80 percent of global corn trade. U.S. farmers grew a record 7.9 billion bushels in 1979, spurred mostly by stepped-up average yields of nearly 110 bushels per acre. Growers will likely continue production at full capacity, prompted by increasing fuel alcohol and sweetener needs and an expanding world demand for grain.